Steel Products
AISI Estimated Raw Steel Production Drops 1.4% Last Week
Written by John Packard
August 13, 2013
Written by: Brett Linton
For the week ending August 10, 2013, the American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) reported that the U.S. steel industry produced 1,862,000 net tons of raw steel, a 1.4 percent decrease over the previous week and a 1.8 decrease over the same week one year ago. The estimated capacity utilization rate is 77.7 percent, down from 78.8 percent last week but up from 76.3 percent last year.
Estimated total raw steel produced for 2013 YTD is reported to be 59,114,000 NT, down 4.6 percent from the 61,947,000 NT produced through the same period in 2012. The average capacity utilization rate for 2013 YTD is estimated to be 77.1 percent, down from 77.8 percent for 2012 YTD. SMU advises our readers that since last year’s comparison is against different tonnage capacity, you are better served to compare tonnage production as done in the graphic provided above.
Week-over-week changes per district are as follows: North East at 208,000 net tons, unchanged. Great Lakes at 654,000 NT, down 16,000 tons. Midwest at 242,000 NT, up 13,000 tons. South at 669,000 NT, down 25,000 tons. West at 89,000 NT, up 2,000 tons. Total production was 1,862,000 NT, down 26,000 tons.
{amchart id=”84″ Weekly Raw Steel Production 8.13.13}
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Steel Products
USS introduces ‘ZMAG’ coated steel to withstand tough weather
U.S. Steel has rolled out “ZMAG,” a flat-rolled coated steel product intended to endure harsh weather conditions.
US steel imports slipped in August after rising in July
July represents the second-lowest monthly rate for steel imports so far this year.
Rig count update: US count dips, Canada flat
Oil and gas drilling activity in the US edged lower last week, while the Canadian rig count held steady at a six-month high.
HR futures: Trade case action official – It was already priced in?!
This month’s column on the markets could be a response to the question of last month, “Are the forward curve prices on Aug. 7 high enough to price in trade case risks?" The market’s answer has been a pretty resounding YES so far, I think.
SMU survey: Lead times edge higher for sheet
Current steel mill lead time averages are a few days longer than levels seen one month prior, but remain near historical lows for both sheet and plate products.